There's a lot to learn...

...but it's important to learn the right lessons.

Pessimist at the Left Coaster takes note of the goings on up the coast a bit...

The race for Governor of Washington is quietly becoming the example of just how evenly divided this nation is. The two candidates, Democrat Christine Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi, are currently separated by just 19 votes, with Rossi in the lead.

The race is indeed that tight, but any claim that it's evidence of an even divide is a misinterpretation of the result. If they're spinning it that way in the California or national press, they're misleading you.

In fact, Kerry won the state handily, despite early Republican claims that they could make it a battleground. Patty Murray was returned to the Senate with a comfortable margin, as were all of our Democratic Congressmen. We had gains in both houses of the legislature, recapturing control of the State Senate. All our statewide incumbents were re-elected, though our challengers fared less well.
If there's a lesson to be learned from the Governor's race, in fact, it's that Democrats do less well when we blur the divisions. Both candidates ran full steam for the center, with Rossi presenting a more mainstream message (if not reality) than the state Republicans had delivered in decades, running on a theme of change after 24 years of Democratic control of the Governor's mansion.

Chris Gregoire ran on competence, not ideology. Unfortunately, some missteps in her management of the Attorney General's office undercut that message, and many people who voted for a Democratic President, Senator and Congressman punched the Republican button for Governor. The important partisan differences were never emphasized by either candidate.

Vote counts continue, and we're gearing up for a mandatory recount, but whatever the outcome, it's hardly a sign of even division in our bright blue state.